A dentist can choose from many materials when creating a dental crown. Charlotte area dentist, Dr. Leonard Hess of the Union County Center for Comprehensive Dentistry uses porcelain dental crowns because of their superior aesthetics and long-term durability. Tooth crowns are a restorative dentistry procedure Dr. Hess provides to Monroe, North Carolina patients.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, also called a tooth cap or crown, is a permanent restoration covering the entire tooth. Dental crowns strengthen and protect your natural teeth, improving their function and aesthetics. Dr. Hess uses porcelain dental crowns for the most natural-looking and longest-lasting results. Other dentists elect to use resin materials.
Although resin crowns can be slightly less expensive, they wear down quickly and are more likely to break because of the material. Fortunately, you have Dr. Hess to recommend the best type of dental crown for your unique needs.
Getting Dental Crowns in Charlotte, NC
The dental crown procedure takes place in two office visits:
Design and Creation: The dentist will prepare the tooth by removing old fillings or tooth crowns. Next, he will take an impression and place a temporary crown over the tooth. The dental crown will be handcrafted to Dr. Hess’ specifications in a dental laboratory.
Placement: Dr. Hess will remove the temporary tooth crown and apply the new restoration, adjusting the fit and color if necessary. The porcelain dental crown will be permanently bonded to the tooth and lightly polished.
The Uses of Dental Crowns
One of the reasons why dental crowns are so popular is that they can treat so many different problems. They can treat both cosmetic and restorative dental issues.
Fixing Cosmetic Flaws
Tooth discoloration is something that all of us will experience at some point in our lives. We usually use professional teeth whitening to treat it, but certain discoloration doesn’t respond to traditional methods. Deep intrinsic staining caused by trauma or medication won’t improve with teeth bleaching. With a dental crown, we color-match it to any shade of white you desire. It covers the entire tooth, so none of this discoloration is visible.
Deformed or misshapen teeth can cause you to be self-conscious about your smile. But they can also cause problems with the function of your smile. Your teeth are essential for eating and speaking. Each tooth plays a role in chewing and breaking down food. Your tongue plays off your teeth in specific ways to form sounds and speech. A dental crown completely covers the deformed tooth, restoring a natural shape and function.
Strengthening Your Natural Teeth
One of the most common uses for a dental crown is to help stabilize a tooth after a root canal. We remove infected dental pulp inside your tooth during a root canal procedure. We refill the tooth with a biocompatible material and seal it off. But you don’t always get full function back with just this. A dental crown ensures that you get full functionality back in your tooth, further sealing it off from bacteria and future infections.
When you get a dental bridge, it requires something to support it. The two teeth on either side of the span are anchor teeth for the bridge. These teeth wear down faster than others, making them more susceptible to tooth decay and other dental problems. We recommend using dental crowns to help strengthen those anchor teeth. The dental crowns take on the stress and strain of the bridge, keeping your natural tooth structure safe.
Treating Severe Damage and Decay
We practice conservative dentistry at our office. This means we preserve the natural tooth structure whenever possible. Crowns are often the last defense to salvage the natural tooth. A crown can hold the shards together if broken, preserving the tooth root. It can stabilize the tooth and replace the missing structure that’s decayed away.
It isn’t a large concern when a tiny piece of your tooth breaks off. However, it’s a different story when a large piece breaks off. It exposes the sensitive soft tissue in the tooth’s center, making it vulnerable to bacteria and infection. The break can also have sharp edges that can harm the soft tissues in your mouth. A crown restores the tooth’s structure and protects the soft tissue from harm.
Dental Crown FAQs
Dental crowns treat both restorative and cosmetic dental concerns. Read the answers to these commonly asked questions to learn more.
What is the cost of a dental crown?
This varies depending on your specific condition and goals and the material selected. If you have dental insurance, your crown may be covered. As a courtesy, we will submit a claim with the reimbursement to be sent directly to you from the insurance company. If you do not have dental insurance or your dental insurance carrier will not cover your treatment, we offer a range of payment options, including financing for qualified patients.
How long do dental crowns last?
Dr. Hess designs dental crowns to last a lifetime. Proper care and maintenance will ensure your dental crown performs at its best for many years. A dental crown’s average lifespan is 5-15 years.
Can you replace gold crowns with porcelain crowns?
Dr. Hess can replace metal dental crowns and broken or worn ones with new, porcelain ones. This simple procedure can have a dramatic impact on the appearance of your smile.
Is getting dental crowns painful?
No, you shouldn’t feel pain when getting a dental crown. Before we prepare your tooth, we completely numb the area. You should only feel some pressure while we prepare the tooth. After the procedure, you may notice sensitivity, especially to extremely hot or cold foods. This fades after a few days. If you experience any sharp or severe pain, call us immediately.
How long after I get a crown can I eat?
Be cautious with what you eat for the first 24 hours after your procedure. Don’t eat sticky or hard foods to avoid disrupting or damaging your crown. Try not to bite down directly with your crown even after this time passes. While dental crowns are strong, that’s one of the biggest risks of damage.
Am I a good candidate for a dental crown?
Dental crowns are often the last chance to save natural tooth structure if you have severe decay or damage. But sometimes, there’s too much, and we aren’t able to save the tooth. When this happens, there’s no choice but to extract the tooth.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Leonard Hess offers consultations to discuss your dental concerns. He offers dental crowns in his Charlotte, NC, and Monroe, NC area dentist office. Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Hess to discuss your oral health, concerns, and budget to see if a dental crown is the right choice for you.